Shaista Fatima/ New Delhi
Come Friday and the Muslims of the world would adhere to fasting from dawn till dusk. It is a time of spiritual discipline, deep contemplation of one's relationship with God, extra prayer, increased charity and generosity, and intense study of the Quran.
But, if that makes it sound super serious and boring, it's really not. While daytime during the month of Ramzan is often the toughest, the evenings of Iftar are filled with fun, frolic and laughter.
It's a time of celebration and joy, to be spent with loved ones.
The quintessential layout of the Iftar table is served with pakodas (fritters), aloo kachalu(boiled potatoes with green chutney), chana(black gram), amrood ka kachaalu (guava salad) and lemonade.
Hereby listed are a few recipes that one can try during the initial days of Ramzan.
Fritters: The most common and easy to make, Fritters are a favourite of every Muslim household.
Recipe: Take some onions, cut them in half and then slice them finely in a straight or diagonal cut. Mix gram flour just enough to bind the slices and add salt, and spices to taste. Warm some oil in a deep pan or cauldron and pan fry or deep fry the fritters until golden brown. Voila! the first snack of Iftar is ready to be served.
Aloo Kachalu- A guilt-free, oil-free snack to gobble at the Iftar time, this dish is a go-to preference for all the diet-conscious people out there.
Recipe- Boil medium-sized potatoes and cut them into round slices. Meanwhile prepare a tangy salsa of coriander and mint leaves. Mix them together and enjoy a perfect healthy snack
For Salsa, take a handful of mint and coriander leaves, wash and put it in the grinder, add some peeled cloves of garlic, salt to taste and a few green chillies. Blend until a smooth paste is attained.
Amrood Kachalu(Guava Salsa)-Another guilt-free, easy-to-make and even easy-to-eat, this recipe is a must at every Iftar table.
Recipe: Take some guavas preferably riped and cut them into even slices, add black salt, black pepper, and red chilli powder to taste. Squeeze fresh lemon juice in the end and savour the tanginess.
Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic Lunar calendar and is marked with great pomp and fervour. It is said that this holy month is significant because the Quran was unveiled during this auspicious time. At the end of Ramzan there’s a big three-day celebration called Eid al-Fitr, or the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.